10 Ultimate Late Late Toy Show Essentials

It’s finally here! For thousands of Irish families all over the country (& around the world) Christmas officially starts on the Friday night of the Late Late Toy Show! And we’ve got just the thing, it’s the Ultimate Late Late Toy Show Essentials List:

Showcasing the top toys, ‘must-have’ gadgets and children’s books for this Christmas, the Late Late Toy Show is a uniquely Irish bundle of fun, hosted by the biggest kid of all, Ryan Tubridy.

The MyKidsTime team got together today to share our favourite Late Late Toy Show memories and the toy show family traditions that have come into play in our homes. So get your Christmas PJs on & get ready with our fun Late Late Toy Show Checklist!

Late Late Toy Show History

The first toy show aired on RTÉ in the early 1970s as a 30 minute slot at the end of the regular Late Late Show. Gay Byrne hosted a segment for parents on the current toys for Christmas while the children were tucked up tight!

It proved so popular, that it eventually became a full-show special with Christmas musical entertainment. Lucky children were invited on to test and review the toys and it eventually evolved into the Christmas extravaganza that we love! It continues to attract record audiences, with 1.4 million people tuning in to watch the show live on RTÉ One last year. It attracted over 120,000 streams on the RTÉ Player.

10 Fun LLTS Facts

First broadcast in 1975.

Pat Kenny took over from Gay Byrne in 1999.

The current presenter Ryan Tubridy started in 2009.

Every year there are over 100,000 applications for 200 tickets.

Tickets have changed hands for as much as €1500.

Only adults can be in the audience.

The Jumper gets as much attention before the show as the presenter.

The Billie Barry kids usually perform.

Join the conversation on Twitter using the hashtag #latelatetoyshow

Get ready for the famous catchphrase: “There’s one for everybody in the audience!”